Abs lights flashed on and off several times. Then solid brake light came on. Car gave off a strange smell. Turned off car. Parked car in the street. 2 hours later the police alerted us that the car was on fire. The engine bay was completely engulfed in flames. Fire department was called and they extinguished the fire. Police report was filed. Video of the fire was captured on my ring doorbell.
The worst 1997 Nissan Maxima problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical39
- Engine14
- Airbags10
- Body7
- Brakes7
- Suspension7
- Steering6
- Fuel system4
- Locks4
- Transmission4
- Acceleration3
- Tires2
- Visibility2
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Nissan Maxima
Recalls 1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, one of the diodes used in the alternator may have been damaged when built. This can eventually result in failure of the diode and an electrical short which could melt the plastic housing.
- Risk
- If the combustible gas emitted by the melting plastic does not disperse due to air flow through the engine compartment, it could ignite and in turn ignite the fan guide in the alternator.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the alternator. Owner notification began july 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261 or infiniti at 1‑800‑662‑6200.
Recall number 02V171000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 1997 Nissan Maxima
Defect investigations
Alternator fires
PE02034
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Nissan Maxima 75
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Diagnosis of vehicle pull (drift) and/or steering wheel off-center
- 12 volt battery testing for in-service vehicles service information
- Silicone-based lubricant or grease CAN damage electrical components service information
- Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
- Intelligent key replacement or swapping between vehicles
- Windshield cracking
- Removing foreign material from the window glass
- Wheel bearing collision damage
- Strut and shock absorber replacement guidelines
- Voluntary service campaign maxima power steering return hose leaks
1997 Nissan Maxima fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18-19 | 24-26 | 21 |
What 1997 Nissan Maxima owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 nissan maxima. The contact stated that smoke was emitting from the engine compartment on several occasions. The contact indicated the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician indicated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was not available.
1997 nissan maxima. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle electrical system recall *tgw the consumer stated his vehicle should have been included in the recall, because he experienced the same problem as other nissan's that were recalled.
In the beginning I noticed it took me a couple times to start vehicle and it would loose power at certain stops or when I slowed down or came to a stop. And as time I felt it jerk and pull at times when I was not driving too fast this continued and then it was one day that it does not want to start up, new starter, new battery, tune up and it just wont start. I am just waiting to see if they find out what the problem is.
The lower radiator support for the 1995-1999 nissan maxima. The lower radiator support supports the radiator, condenser, and the engine support beam. The lower radiator support starts to rust from the inside of the beam and eventually rusts all the way out causing the radiator and the condenser to hang lower and the engine to hang with limited support. Without the lower radiator support, the engine support beam hits off the ground during normal driving.
Vehicle headlamps and taillight if in the direct sun they fog in about 2-3 years, visibility drops more than 50% it certainly effects safety and no long meet strict dot requirements. The glass type was perfectly suitable before. If you notice there is now a big business polishing lenses. Pls start a class action against the mfgs. Ask anyone. Check any vehicle over 5 years old and you see.
Lower radiator support which supports radiator and front engine mount, rusts completely through. Common problem (according to various on-line sources) from 1995-2001 maxima models driven in the salt belt states. Repair can be extensive to replace entire front radiator engine frame structure. Some shops are replacing rotted section with a piece of angle iron and drilling holes to remount front engine mount.
1997 nissan maxima se - cruise control malfunctions causing either unwanted acceleration or unwanted deceleration. Has happened on multiple occasions with different drivers to the point we no longer use the cruise control feature in this specific vehicle.
I needed to replace a muffler on my 1997 nissan maxima. On 092209 I took my maxima to a muffler shop, the mechanic noticed a very strong rawfuel smell. He said he could not use a flame torch due to a possible explosion. He replaced the muffler by hand and told me to have the fuel system inspected because this could be a dangerous situation. On 092609 I had the fuel system inspected by an independent mechanic, he discovered that fumes and possibly gas were escaping from the fuel filler neck and tube because of corrosion within the wheel base. I have tried to locate replacement parts from 3 salvaged vehicles and each were also corroded. New parts have been hard to located and remain uncertain as to whether they will fit.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the ABS activates on its own sporadically. The dealer speculated that dirt or mud enters through the wheel speed sensor and causes the failure. The dealer cleaned the component, but the failure recurred shortly after the remedy. The contact went back to the dealer and they repaired the vehicle. Updated 07/08/09 *bf updated 07/08/09.
Compare the 1997 Nissan Maxima
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1997 Nissan Maxima
Is the 1997 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Owners have filed 102 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Maxima, close to a typical Maxima model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Nissan Maxima?
Electrical system, with 39 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles. Next is engine (14).
How many recalls does the 1997 Nissan Maxima have?
1 recall, covering electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Nissan Maxima electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V171000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Nissan Maxima have the most electrical problems?
The Nissan Maxima model years with the most electrical complaints are 2000 (171 complaints), 1999 (83 complaints) and 2009 (79 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Nissan Maxima get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Nissan Maxima range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18-19 city and 24-26 highway.
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